Tribal Revolts Of Odisha To Be Showcased In National Museum

Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: In a major announcement for tribal communities in Odisha, the Centre on Monday said that steps will be taken to showcase the various tribal uprisings in the State in the Indian Independence movement and noted personalities who played pivotal role in the country’s freedom struggle, at the proposed National Museum of Tribal Freedom Fighters.

Replying to a question by Odisha MP from Koraput, Saptagiri Ulaka on steps taken by the Central government on preservation of cultural heritage of tribal people, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Renuka Singh Saruta informed the Parliament that various regional revolts in Odisha like the Revolt of Surendra Sai (1839-62), Koraput Revolt led by Laxman Nayak (1942-43), Revolt of Ganjam (1800-1805), Gumusur Revolt (1808-37), Khond Revolt (1846-55) will be placed for exhibition at the proposed museum.

Life and struggle of prominent national tribal freedom fighters including those from Odisha are to be displayed in the national museum through 16 major galleries.

The union minister pointed out that the Centre has given approval for setting up the national museum at Garudeshwar village in Narmada district in Gujarat.

State government of Gujarat has collected and compiled information and contributions of the tribal community leaders from various sources to represent facts and verified historical records in this museum through depiction of photos, documents, paintings, lithographs and artefacts such as guns, pistols, swords, shields, badges, Medals, dioramas, sculptures etc, the MoS stated.

The minister further said that the government has also conceptualised to set up National Tribal Research Institute for providing hand-holding to regional tribal research bodies to strengthen them as body of knowledge and research and as think tank for tribal development and preservation of cultural heritage.